The Rise of King Faro

It’s no surprise that rising star King Faro is making a name for himself in 2018 from his 2017 hit song Tangerine, which recently was featured on Power episode 507. The rich melodies used in the song creates the perfect energy to put you on an emotional rollercoaster that you want to happen or simply can’t help but let it flow.

Hailing from Northern New Jersey, King Faro’s music resonates with fans from all over, seizing a devoted fan base around the U.S. as well as countries in Europe. He doesn’t hold back any emotions as he lays down his poetic expressions, which are in a league of their own, self-titling his own sound as “Emoji Music” because of the feelings portrayed throughout his songs (he literally has a song for every type of mood).

I caught up with King Faro last Thursday on FaceTime to discuss his music, his inspirations, and his fashion sense.

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Shakirah: How did you get started in music? What particular moment in your life ignited that flame and made you discover your talent?

Faro: Music has always been in my family. My mom use to be a manager and I have twin brothers who were doing music a bit before me when I was growing up. I was always around it, I wasn’t diving into music because I was doing other stuff like school [so] I wasn’t really honing in on my talent. A year and a half ago I was in the studio with my brothers and we were just having fun, vibing out and my brothers were like “yo, you should hop on this track,” and I was like “yeah, whatever bro.” But I ended up doing it and I put it on Instagram and a lot of people were messing with it. It was crazy and we all decided “yo bro, maybe you should try this full time because I think it will work—you have the talent for it.” So ever since that moment, I’ve been going super hard with it and I’ve been getting a lot of good feedback, everything’s been moving, so yeah it’s been crazy.

Shakirah: So would you say that your family, particularly your brothers, really inspire you to pursue your dreams?

Faro: Oh definitely.

Shakirah: Where did the name King Faro come from?

Faro: Well my real name is Fareed so I just kind of shorten that and I’ve always felt like a king, so to speak, you know what I mean? Not like better than anybody else, just as a mentality. And I didn’t want to spell Pharaoh like the traditional way, I wanted to play off of my name. So I kept the F A and the R and just added the O. King and Pharaoh mean the same thing so it’s kinda like a play on words.

Shakirah: Talk to me about Lonely Hearts Club? When was it established?

Faro: Well that’s the team. It’s been around ever since I started basically. It’s just a movement we’re trying to create for like-minded people who go through the same things that we go through. Anywhere from relationships or just personal life. If you ever felt alone or ever had a personal issue that you’re trying to get through, you can kind of like confide in us through the music.

Shakirah: Wow, that’s really inspiring. Talk to me about this emoji music, like what does it mean? I read your bio on Soundcloud and Spotify and you describe your music as emoji music, so talk to me about that.

Faro: You know how emojis sometimes speak louder than actual words? You know a lot of times you can’t find the right word, but you have that perfect emoji for that situation? That’s kind of how I view my music. It’s more of a feeling, more of an expression, rather than just words or just a song. It’s deeper than that. So that’s why I call it emoji music, it’s more of a feeling, you know.

Shakirah: So what genre of music does your EP fall under?

Faro: It falls under Contemporary R&B. I would say Hip Hop R&B, but every time I do an interview or a write up, it’s always like Contemporary R&B so like I'm cool with it, it’s just I’m not going to fight it because it is R&B, so yeah, I never fight it, it’s cool.

Shakirah: So I think your EP is really amazing, how did you come up with the artwork and the title, Petty Tapes?

Faro: The EP was built on my personal experiences along with other people’s personal experiences [that are] really related to relationships with females and how petty certain situations can be. So just talking to each other about stories and stuff that we’ve been through, we all kind of agreed that like “yo girls are mad petty, but we’re also very petty, you know.” Relationships can be very petty. And then the music started speaking that [in]to existence, it really wasn’t a plan, you know? Like we didn’t plan it to be a certain way. It was just like we talk, we vibing out, we recording, and at the end of it all, it all just started to make sense.

Shakirah: I really vibe with it. And how did you know what song to list as #1, #2, this is the last song?

Faro: Um you kind of just go off of vibes. Like does this song fit playing after this song? Because you’re also trying to tell a story, you know? So as long as you get the story off and the message off in the right way that’s kind of how you figure out what song goes after which song.

Shakirah: Who makes the beats for most of your songs?

Faro: I have a few in-house producers. I have a lot of producers that send me beats, so that’s basically how I find my beats.

Shakirah: And how often are you in the studio?

Faro: At least five times a week.

Shakirah: Anything you’re working on currently?

Faro: Before the year is up, I’m dropping a project called MOJO, but I will be dropping a few singles before that so I’m just working on the roll out. But you definitely can expect another project from me.

Shakirah: So how many songs do you want that to be?

Faro: Right now it’s sitting at 8, depending on how I feel it can go up.

Shakirah: When you make your music, how do you feel during and after the song is complete?

Faro: Well like the whole process is pretty much just having fun and just vibing out. So during the process, it feels less like I’m trying to make a song and more like “how can I get this message across in a way that I’m comfortable with? In a way that makes sense?” So it’s not stressful, it’s always fun and after I record it, I always feel like I got something off my chest.

-plugging in King Faro's latest single PARK ON ME so that you can listen to it as you continue reading the rest of the interview-

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Shakirah: Wow, that’s good. So on your Youtube, you have a ton of hits in the thousands, how does that make you feel?

Faro: It’s incredible. Like the numbers that I have been receiving in the past like 6 months are really unbelievable. I know how hard I worked for it, so I know I deserve it, but when you see it and it’s manifesting itself, it’s kind of like surreal. That all these people are really checking for my songs that I’m making in detail. I got my own studio, my own tunes, So it’s a great feeling.

Shakirah: How large is your team?

Faro: My in-house team, it’s like five of us.

Shakirah: As I was watching your videos, I noticed that they take place in different parts of the world. You were in Puerto Rico and Atlanta, how did you make that happen? Explain why these places and how you came up with the creative direction.

Faro: You talking about the Ballroom X video! I was actually already going to Puerto Rico. It was honestly suppose to be like a vacation, but I just ended up shooting a video with my boy. He actually shot it on his iPhone, it was an iPhone shot video. The spot that we were at was so dope that I was like “I have to shoot a video here, like I have to.”

Shakirah: And I noticed that your song, Guess Who, takes place in Atlanta, is that a place that you hope to further pursue your music?

Faro: Yeah, I actually was in Atlanta not to long ago, like a few months back. Shot a couple of videos, vibed out with some people. I definitely want to go back. I love the vibes in Atlanta, I love the people in Atlanta. Right now, I’m back and forth between Jersey, LA, and New York, but yeah I definitely want to keep going to Atlanta, I love it.

Shakirah: Where have you been performing lately?

Faro: Lately, I’ve had a couple of shows like in the tri-state, I have a few shows coming up in a couple of weeks in LA actually. I’ll be dropping those dates pretty soon.

Shakirah: Do you perform in Philly?

Faro: In Philly I have once before.

Shakirah: How did that go?

Faro: I have a lot of family in Philly so it’s always fun. Philly is really chill. The people really respond well to my music so it’s always dope, always fun.

Shakirah: So as a recording artist in Northern New Jersey, what is that experience like because I know that part of New Jersey, you guys aren’t really known for music artists there.

Faro: Yeah that’s the crazy part. Jersey has a lot of talent, musically, not even just music, just in general. But we kind of get put on the back burner because we are right next to New York, so people always come to New York first and then they look at Jersey later. But I’m actually from the same city as Fetty Wap, so it’s a little more eyes on you ever since he kind of put the city on the map. But it’s definitely different being in Jersey as opposed to like Atlanta or like LA, or even New York. It’s different but I definitely appreciate the fact that I do have to work a little harder and push myself a little harder to get out there. But yeah, it’s definitely a little different.

Shakirah: Can you talk to me about what’s going on in your music video, Auto Love, with the two young women?

Faro: Yeah, that was actually the first video I’ve ever shot. So the story with Auto Love is that, I’m with like my girl . . .

*Shakirah interrupts* IN REAL LIFE?

Faro: No no, just the video *laughs*. And she found out that I was talking to another girl, So you see her following me through the woods and stuff and then I see that she has the girl tied up. Like she found the girl. She got the girl tied up like she about to do whatever to this girl, but then I convince her to let me release the girl. So that’s kind of like what’s that about. It’s kind of like a metaphor of just having the courage to let stuff go, you know? So, it’s a simple video, but it’s a deep meaning behind it.

Shakirah: Yeah, I feel the deep meaning. So who is the creative director behind the storyline of the video production?

Faro: Well everyone on the team, we always put our heads together to create the best story. Shoutout, my director, Chris Kelly, he’s a big part of making stuff happen and being creative and been doing all that so he’s definitely a big part of that.

Shakirah: So I know that you have been performing and getting your name out there, what music festivals do you aspire to perform at?

Faro: I wanna do SXSW, love SX. Coachella is a big one for me, like I definitely want to get out to Coachella. Bonnaroo is pretty dope. Honestly I would do every festival, to be honest. I love performing, I love seeing my fans reaction to my songs so yeah, any festival.

Shakirah: Well I know you have performed before, so how do you prepare yourself to walk out on the stage and give it your all, knowing that you have hundreds and probably thousands of people cheering you on, what is that feeling like?

Faro: It’s definitely nerve-racking but I kind of like use that as energy, you know? Just knowing that people are here to see yo , they want to see you. They’re not just here to be here. So it’s kind of just like have fun with it. You know?

Shakirah: On Spotify, I see that you have some international influence, your Spotify profile (on my end) says that roughly 200 monthly listeners in London. How does that make you feel and how did that even happen?

Faro: That’s actually really crazy because It was like I dropped a song called Freak on the Low, a while back and instantly the one place that it was really hitting was the U.K. And it just made me realize how many people music can reach, like it’s not just about America, it’s not just where you’re from. Music is international, it’s worldwide. So it opened my mind to a broader audience for sure.

Shakirah: Ok, so let’s switch and talk about that steamy sex scene in Power with Tommy and Keisha.

Faro: *laughs*

Shakirah: How did you get connected with them?

Faro: I’m signed with a licensing company so how that works is that I send them music and then they pitch my songs around to different people, like different shows and stuff. The crazy part about that is the deal was pretty new so I only sent them a handful of songs and I got the notification that my song is going to be on Power like a month later. Yeah, at first I didn’t believe it because like how? This is like the biggest show on television, this makes no sense. But then I was in LA like a month ago and then the guy confirmed with me like, "oh no, it’s definitely going to be on Power." So I still can’t believe it to be honest.

Shakirah: That’s amazing, congrats! So where do you see yourself in five years?

Faro: Thanks. In five years, I see myself definitely knocking down doors, you know. I see myself with a super loyal fan base, super real fan base. I’m definitely here for longevity, I’m not one of these artists who is just here for the moment. I definitely care about my craft and I work on my craft every day, so in five years, I mean, I see myself at the top.

Shakirah: And how much money goes into getting your dream off the ground?

Faro: Um it kind of depends. I definitely try to spend my money wisely. So it just depends on what I am trying to do and how I’m trying to promote myself. So it’s not like one set number but you definitely have to invest. You must invest in yourself.

Shakirah: I recently saw on your Instagram story that you have some haters, how do you turn negative words around?

Faro: Well I look at it like, honestly the people who hate on you, it’s almost the same as the people who love you, because either way they’re talking about you. I get why people would hate because no one ever wants to see you doing better than them. The people who are close to me are gonna be real and show me real love, but if you don’t know me and you want to be where I am, I get it, you would hate on me. So those people, I just say, keep talking about me, it’s only going to make me more relevant.

Shakirah: So back to your song, Tangerine, what experiences in your life made you come up with the lyrics in the song?

Faro: Just like relationships for sure. Definitely heartbreak and stuff not working out how you want it to work out. Yeah, just real emotions, you know?

Shakirah: So in one of your songs, you mention a french fashion label, Malandrino, is that your favorite brand?

Faro: No, not my favorite. Just a dope one. Honestly, I think that day I was looking through their Instagram and stuff and it kind of just stuck in my mind, so yeah, not my favorite, though I like all brands.

Shakirah: Is fashion something that interests you?

Faro: Oh definitely, definitely. Yeah, I try to incorporate fashion into my brand. Just because I like to be fly, I like looking nice.

Shakirah: So what brands do you like right now?

Faro: I had a kickback for the Power viewing and I was wearing all Tommy Hilfiger, shoutout to them. Uh, KidSuper is definitely wavy, definitely dope. Honestly people probably don’t even notice but I thrift a lot, I’m not huge on brands, I’m more big on if it looks good, if its fly so I’m not huge on too many brands, but definitely like Tommy Hilfiger, kidSuper, Gucci is dope, Supreme is dope.

Shakirah: So with all of the songs that you have, name your top two favorite songs.

Faro: Mhm, top two. Tangerine is definitely one and I would say Swim Nude is my second.

Shakirah: Yo Swim Nude is dope, how long did it take you to get the video out?

Faro: Well it took us a day to do the video and I think the video was out a month later. So it didn’t take that long.

Shakirah: Let’s talk more about fashion and how the way you dress shapes your mood. I like your hair. Tell me about your locs, like why locs?

Faro: Well I’ve been growing my hair ever since I started. So its grown with me throughout my entire career and they’re freeform. Before I was just twisting them but they kind of just grow like this and I use it as motivation because it describes me, who I am, everything I do is organic, you know. There’s not a lot of gimmicks behind what I do. Just like my hair. My hair just grows like this, I don’t touch it, I don’t do anything to it. Just natural, organic. And it’s been with me throughout this whole process.

Shakirah: What about your earring, your one little cross. Is that a religious statement or you just rock with it?

Faro: Definitely Praise God, the Most High,. Um, but I wouldn’t say I was trying to make a religious statement, it was more just, idk, I just always wanted a cross earring *laughs* It was just simple, It wasn’t too much thought into it.

Shakirah: And when did you start wearing pinky rings?

Faro: I’ve been wearing pinky rings for a while, idk I just always been interested. I need more rings actually. I’ve had five rings and lost them all and this *holding up pinky* was like the last one.

Shakirah: In the music industry, there are a lot of big-named artists. Who are some of the artists that you look up to?

Faro: Definitely Ty Dolla $ign is a big one, The Weeknd is a big one too, I’m a huge PartyNextDoor fan, those are like my main three. As far as creativity and originality, Travis Scott is really dope when it comes to that. Yeah, those are like the big ones for me.

Shakirah: And what record label are you trying to pursue or do you want to stay more independent?

Faro: It depends. I’ve been in talks with a few labels, I mean I don’t want to name drop. It kind of just depends on the deal, you know? Like I definitely want to keep the freedom I have, the creative control is a huge part of what I want to do. So if a label is giving me that freedom, for the most part then yeah, we can talk. I wouldn’t say I’m pursuing labels everyday like trying to get signed. What I’m doing has been working and we’re working for ourselves, you know? So if a label wants to come and help, I’m down.

Shakirah: One more question, who’s your photographer?

Faro: Chris Kelly, he does everything. He shoots my videos, he takes my pictures. He’s dope.

Shakirah: Are you in a relationship now? *laughs*

Faro: uh no I’m like, I’m just like flowing around, you know. Just mainly focusing on the music.

Shakirah: That’s good to know. Well not for me, just for your fans.

Faro: *laughs*

-end-

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photography: Chris Kelly

social media: @KingFaro_

Tags: #KingFaro #Tangerine #SwimNude #PettyTapes #MOJO #PowerTV #Spotify #Music #GlobalInfluence #Twitter #Soundcloud #Instagram #EmergingArtists #Locs #HipHop #RnB #FaceTime #Interview #GiftedMagazine #Journalism #NewJersey